Build #3: sitka/black walnut 000

[Neil K Walk]

I can't get the top off without ruining it so I have to make a new one.

I was literally at the neck setting stage and am now about 10 steps.

[Fathand]

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

I can't get the top off without ruining it so I have to make a new one.

I was literally at the neck setting stage and am now about 10 steps.

That's unfortunate, I had to remove and replace a top but it was earlier in the build, before binding, still a pain and time consuming. Is there a chance you may be able to reuse your top on a smaller guitar build? I used mine to practice rubbing a sunburst.

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by Fathand

That's unfortunate, I had to remove and replace a top but it was earlier in the build, before binding, still a pain and time consuming. Is there a chance you may be able to reuse your top on a smaller guitar build? I used mine to practice rubbing a sunburst.

No, I had to route away a portion on the top that wouldn’t come cleanly off the tail block. The sides and upper bout are fine but as I progressed more and more splits in the grain appeared around the base of the lower bout.

I’m tempted to see if I can remove the bracing and bridge plate, if only for practice in doing repairs. Otherwise, I have a new sitka top on order and already have extra cedar lining, uncut bracing stock, a rosette, bracing and herringbone purfling.

I just need to steam off the old lining from the sidewalk, re-radius sand the rims, then install the new lining and sand some more. Then I’ll turn my attention to the new top.

[Neil K Walk]

I'm resigned to the fact that I won't be able to get the braces steamed off the top so I'm going to use it as a template and cut all new braces.

In other news, I spent a hour or two chiseling off the rest of the kerfed lining then cleaning the future glue joint with a card scraper and some sandpaper. I've already jointed the new soundboard.